NE Premier League: Mussett stands firm to steer Washington home to welcome first victory against Burnmoor

Washington secured a welcome first win of the Division One season, defeating visitors Burnmoor by five wickets.

Graeme Race (3-27) enjoyed a brilliant start to the match with the ball, taking out three of the top four Burnmoor batsmen, with Mark Watson dismissing Allan Worthy to leave Moor struggling on 30-4

Mackenzie Wright and Riley Blunt (24, with two fours in 51 balls) halted the decline, but Race ran out Wright for 11 and Colin Myers then took charge for Washington. He ended up snaffling 4-45.

Moor rallied from 67-7 to 95-8 and then from 99-9 to 143 all out as Liam Dixon’s tremendous 59, with three fours and five sixes, took the visitors to respectability after 36.2 overs.

Washington showed resilience to reach their target for the loss of five wickets, getting home in the 50th over.

Ben Mussett stole the show with a 126-ball knock of 60, featuring nine fours and a six, allied to long stays from Josh Wilson (11 off 46 balls) and Ashley Thorpe (19 off 43 balls), while Race hit two sixes in a quickfire 13 and opener Abhijal Mansingh made a patient 16 off 48 balls.

Sunderland edged home by two wickets away to old rivals Gateshead Fell.

Quinton Boatswain came to the fore the Ashbrooke club, the West Indian grabbing 5-31 in a brilliant 15-over effort.

Elliot Smith struck early for Sunderland, but Fell rallied from 15-1 to 59-2 and 125-3 as Thomas Pinkney made 40, with eight fours, and Malik Saved added 33, with five fours.

The mainstay of the innings was Richard Smith, though, hitting 10 boundaries in a 104-ball 62 before he was dismissed, caught by Jonny Shurben off the bowling of Boatswain.

When Seaham batted, they battled to 140-7 to get the draw. Michael Nunn impressed with a resilient 59 and Shaun Hagan weighed in with 50. Grant Nicholson tried in vain with the ball, with his effort of 3-37, but it was not enough.

Jake Louth (83) and Elliott Foster (31) offered good support as Willington made 256-4 declared in 48 overs, with Anton Muller and Curtis Bihari both striking twice.

Despite fine knocks from Robert Chismon (44) and Muller (64), who shared in a 111-run partnership, only Brad Bihari (19) also reached double figures as Mainsforth were all out for 155 in the 32nd over.

Calvin Stephenson led the way with 5-45, while Peter Leggett took 2-23.

Brandon secured a “winning” draw away to Sacriston.

The home side were indebted to opener Daniel Anderson for a magnificent 107 not out, from 152 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes.

He carried his bat to help Sacriston make 225-8 in 55 overs, supported by Graeme Wrightson’s fine 56 down the order, with nine fours.